Departure from Hong Kong

We recommend arriving at the airport two hours in advance of your flight to give you sufficient time to check in, go through security, and get to your gate. We offer a few convenient ways for you to check in.

In-town check-in

If you’re taking the Airport Express (AEL) to Hong Kong International Airport, you can take advantage of our in-town check-in facilities at either Hong Kong or Kowloon Airport Express/MTR stations.

Check in and collect your boarding pass as early as one day in advance (any time the counter is open on the day previous to your flight) or as late as 90 minutes before departure.

Also note, the following services are available at in-town check-in stations:

Wheelchair service

Registration/check-in for unaccompanied minors (UM). Note: escorts for unaccompanied minors are only available at the airport.

The maximum size of check-in bag that can be accepted at Hong Kong or Kowloon MTR stations is 145 x 100 x 85 cm.

To check in for codeshare flights at In-Town Check-In, passengers should proceed to the operating carrier’s counters for assistance.

To comply with the requirements from the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), we cannot issue a boarding pass to a passenger departing for US destination more than 24 hours prior to scheduled flight departure time.

Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities

Two check-in counters are available for Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon flights. You can check-in from one day in advance of their flight, with the exception of flights to US destinations where boarding passes cannot be issued more than 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time.

Online check-in

At the airport

Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon check-in counters are located on Level 7 at Terminal 1, which is easily accessible for those arriving at the airport by train or taxi. We offer several self-check-in kiosks, as well.

Cathay Pacific check-in counters are located in areas B and C of the check-in hall.

Cathay Dragon check-in counters are located in area H of the check-in hall.

(Passengers are advised to arrive at check-in counters at least 50 minutes before scheduled departure time)

First Class Check-in

Our First Class passengers can experience Cathay Pacific’s award-winning First Class services at the Hong Kong International Airport, where a total of ten dedicated check-in podiums can be accessed.

Each podium is serviced, and provides you with a personal check-in screen that displays your estimated departure and arrival times; boarding gate information; the weather at your next destination; and other important flight details, including your Marco Polo Club points and Asia Miles balance.

First Class: Aisle B

Business Class Check-in

Cathay Pacific's Business Class passengers now have their own special check-in area which can be found on Aisle B.

Premium Economy Class Check-in

Premium Economy Class: Aisle C

Economy Class Check-in

We've introduced the single queue concept so that you can enjoy quicker, hassle-free check-in service.

Economy Class: Aisle C

Note:
In compliance with the requirements from Hong Kong Civil Aviation, Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon will implement a full reconciliation of passenger travel document check at the boarding gate of Hong Kong International Airport, by comparing the name on the passenger's boarding pass with the name in the travel document, and by comparing the photograph in the document with the passenger.

Self-service bag drop

Save time at the Hong Kong airport when you use our designated bag drop machines, located at aisle C for Cathay Pacific passengers, and aisle H for Cathay Dragon passengers.

Shenzhen International Airport

You can check in and have your boarding pass issued at Shenzhen International Airport (SZIA) for flights departing from Hong Kong, before taking cross-boundary land transport to Hong Kong International Airport.

Upon arrival at the airport in Hong Kong, if you have baggage to check in, you can go to the Self Check-In Bag Drop Counter. Without check-in baggage, you can proceed straight through to Immigration, speeding up the process of getting to your flight.

Passengers departing from Shenzhen will need to arrive at SZIA at least 180 minutes before the scheduled departure time of their flight at Hong Kong International Airport.